MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis has shared a trick for anyone who likes shopping at Zara which could pay for a flight to Spain, Italy, Greece or France. Martin originally shared the hack in 2014 and has updated it ahead of the peak summer holiday season.
Martin says anyone planning on shopping at Zara now before going on holiday to Spain or other countries in Europe should think again. Writing on the MSE website he said: "If you're one of the millions planning a trip to Spain at some point this summer, stop shopping at Zara right now.
"The giant Spanish fashion brand sells clothes in its native country far cheaper than here, so wait until you get there if you're planning on buying something. It's also usually cheaper, though not as much of a difference, in other countries where you pay in euros too.
"The price difference is enormous. The pound price is often higher than the euro price before you even convert the currency (which further cheapens the euro price)."
Martin says you can check prices on Zara's Spanish website. While you can't get deliveries to the UK you can see the huge price difference - and he says it applies to other shops in the same group such as Massimo Dutti and Pull & Bear.
Martin shared a number of examples of price differences, including a jacket on sale in the UK for £129 on sale in Spain for €99.95 (around £84).
Martin also found a dress for £49.99 in the UK costing £33.80 in Spain, another at £109 in the UK and £76.10 in Spain and a blazer at £109 in the UK and £76.10 in Spain. There are also huge discounts if you buy in Greece, Italy and France and smaller savings in almost any country that uses the Euro.
Martin said: "From this small sample, it shows that on average prices are 31% cheaper in Spain and Greece than the UK, 21% cheaper in France and Italy.
"If you were planning a big Zara shop, it may cover the flight cost.
"When I first wrote this blog in 2014, I found a Ryanair flight to Santander in Spain (not the bank) for £42 return (hand luggage only). So it was actually cheaper to jump on a plane to Spain and buy the jacket there – though of course add in airport transport and hotel costs and it skews the equation."
Martin added: "Do pause though to think of the environmental impact of flying, and of overbuying fast fashion. I wouldn't suggest you do a trip just for this, more that if you're going anyway and need to buy, take advantage."
You can read the full article with more price comparisons on MoneySavingExpert
